Battle At The Lakes: Max’s Guard Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven guards who impressed in the games I watched at the Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1560807"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Isaac is one of those point guards who just seems to have eyes in the back of his head. As just a freshman his court vision is so impressive, and any time there's the slimmest gap to set up a teammate for a shot, Isaac is able to locate it and thread the needle. He's very good as a pick u0026amp; roll ball handler because of his ability to hit his big rolling to the hoop, pull-up from three if his man goes under, or turn the corner and get into the paint depending on how the defense plays him. All game long against a tough Team Factory he was setting his teammates up for open jumpers and easy lay-ups, while also getting free for a handful of threes on his own.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1144475"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Outside of a monster dunk, Jeremiah was a bit quiet in Sioux Falls earlier this month. In Minneapolis he responded in a big way though with some impressive performances. Particularly against Minnesota Fury he was looking for his own shot in a way I hadn't seen before, and it resulted in a 7/7 shooting performance from three! Sem was creating space effortlessly with a shifty handle and long stride, able to get space and then elevate for his jumper. He just got into a rhythm where you felt like every shot he took was going to go in, and they all did. Not only did he hit a go-ahead three with under a minute to go, but after Minnesota Fury tied it back up he came down the floor and hit another three to give his team the win with just a couple of seconds remaining. Also showed off his impressive bounce with a windmill dunk against D1 Minnesota 17u.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Lamont Hamilton","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Racine St. Catherine's","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Wisconsin Elite 17u","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Even playing up two years with the 2024's, Lamont was one of the most athletic guards in the field. He's just so fast with the ball in his hands, able to take a defensive rebound and turn it into a high percentage scoring opportunity on the other end as he can blow by defenders with the ball. In the half-court he showed an improved jumper as he was burying threes off the dribble in a way that he wasn't last summer. Also brings his toughness from the gridiron to the hardwood as he relishes contact and can finish through it at a high level with either hand. Defensively he's a playmaker who can pressure the ball hard and has great timing to jump cross-court passes and pick up steals. Had one of the plays of the weekend driving hard to his left to finish, and then stealing the inbound pass to seal a win for his team on Saturday night. One of Wisconsin's best in 2026.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1111175"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Isaiah had one of the best shooting weekends you'll see all spring. If he had space to step into his jumper he was rarely missing, and he made it even more difficult to defend as he was pulling up for volley-ball line threes well beyond the high school arc. His presence on the floor was not only putting points on the board via his shooting, but also stretched out opposing defenses to open up driving lanes for his athletic wings. Against Wisconsin Blizzard his team was trailing in the first half, but he hit two 3's in a matter of five seconds to make it a tight game heading into half-time. D1 Minnesota went on to win that game with Isaiah having a memorable and-one three in the second half to give his team a ton of momentum.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1574216"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"I really liked how Azayah utilized his long frame and athleticism on the defensive end. He was constantly pressuring the ball and using his long arms to give opposing ball handlers issues. He exceled at forcing loose balls both on the ball, and with his ability to lunge in off the ball to close off driving lanes. Azayah was excellent in the open floor as he can go coast-to-coast to finish but also kept his eyes scanning the floor to find a sprinting teammate for an even easier look if available. Had some tough finishes inside, flashed a smooth lefty jumper, and threw down a transition dunk in a 2-1 weekend for his team playing up in the 17u bracket.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1284203"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Parker was very composed on the ball throughout the weekend, even when facing a high pressure defender on Wisconsin Elite. He never lost his poise, and always had his eyes scanning the floor no matter how heavy the pressure was. Made some great passes as he looked off the defense and then hit his teammate cutting backdoor to the hoop. Also delivered a pair of accurate lobs from well outside the three point line to set up his teammate for easy dunks at the rim. Throughout the weekend Parker did a nice job of getting into the paint, and then playing off two feet which allowed him to go up balanced to finish, or pivot and kick it back out if the defense collapsed on him. Smart player who made winning plays for Minnesota Fury Muir.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1448601"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Friday night was the best I've seen Desmond play in a while, as he helped Real Phenom take down a very talented Chapman Academy team. Showcased his smooth jumper with a couple of threes while also breaking down his man and stepping back for a mid-range shot along the baseline. Ware added in some crafty finishes at the rim to boost his scoring total. He's not the quickest or most explosive athlete, but defensively he works his tail off pressuring the ball, and is just a pest in the full-court who never gives opposing point guards a second to breathe. Strong showing from the 2025 out of Armstrong.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6464dbf7e108c"} /-->